John,
We write with important action you can take to help stop the expansion of Zenith and its dangerous oil by rail operations in Portland. We also have shocking revelations about Portland City Council’s complete reversal in approving Zenith’s permit.
In 2021, Portlanders won an existential battle against Zenith Energy. After months of escalating protests and direct actions, the City denied Zenith a crucial permit. But in October of last year we were betrayed by Portland Commissioners Dan Ryan and Carmen Rubio who made a backroom deal with Zenith. They authorized the facility to endanger Portland with another five years of deadly oil trains.
Public records requests reveal how these two commissioners and their staff facilitated and coordinated the entire process of Zenith’s permit from start to finish. The City says this was just an ordinary administrative decision made by bureau staffers, but records tell a different story. While the city was shutting out public participation, Zenith was treating Rubio and Ryan to VIP boat tours and site visits.
Portland City Council claims they don’t have the authority to rescind the permit, but Oregon law clearly says that they can. We need to remind Portland City Council that their responsibility is to the people of Portland, not a Texas-based corporation. Join us in demanding that they rescind Commission Dan Ryan’s dirty deal with Zenith NOW.
